Project information

Driving for Change

We want wheelchair users and those with profound and complex disabilities to be able to access adventure activities such as caving, climbing and canoeing. To do this we need to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle so that everyone, no matter their ability, can achieve through adventure.

Charity information: Bendrigg Trust

Need

Adventure activities such as caving, canoeing and climbing are becoming increasingly inclusive thanks to adaptive techniques, trained instructors and specialist equipment. However for people who require the use of a wheelchair, the first obstacle to taking part in these activities is often transport - how do they get to the activity venue? Accessible vehicles suitable for wheelchair users, that can also cope with rural activity sites (often along rough, uneven tracks) are vital.

Solution

We seek to purchase an accessible vehicle which can accommodate 2 wheelchair users. This will replace an accessible car that was gifted to Bendrigg over a decade ago and is now unreliable and costly to maintain. Currently, Bendrigg Trust can accommodate 14 wheelchair users at our centre however we only have the ability to transport 13. The new vehicle will increase the number of wheelchair users we can transport - meaning that everyone can enjoy adventurous activities

What success will look like

Impact

An accessible vehicle will support people with disabilities for at least the next decade - providing opportunities for them to try activities they never dreamt possible because of their disability or disadvantage. Success will be an increase in the number of wheelchair users we can support each year and an increased awareness of accessible activities. We will track new groups and individuals to Bendrigg and success will be at least 2 new groups with wheelchair users per annum

Risk

There is very little risk associated with this project. The new vehicle will replace an existing vehicle and so maintenance costs are already factored into current budgets and will most likely decrease with the purchase of a newer, more reliable vehicle. The main risk is not raising the remaining funds required to purchase the accessible vehicle (total cost c. £30,000) however we have a fundraising strategy in place to ensure funds are secured from a variety of sources.

Reporting

At the end of the first year of use of the vehicle we will report on the number of beneficiaries the vehicle has supported and include case studies of the people who have benefitted. Photos will be provided of the new vehicle at various activity sites with our groups!

Current Funding / Pledges

Location

Bendrigg Trust is based out of our residential centre at Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria. This project will include taking individuals to activity sites throughout the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks as well as occassionally further afield (e.g. on adult expeditions to Scotland or the south coast of England).

Beneficiaries

Bendrigg supports ~3,500 people annually of which ~2,500 have a disability or face disadvantage and ~1,000 are teachers, carers, family members or volunteers offering support. The majority of the disabled people we support are young (up to 25 years old) although we do offer courses for adults as well. Most of our users are from areas of deprivation or experience disadvantage in some way. We expect the vehicle to last at least a decade and support tens of thousands of people in that time.

Why Us?

Bendrigg Trust is one of the leading outdoor disability specialists in the country, constantly striving to pioneer and promote inclusive and innovative ideas. Over the past 40 years, 83,500 people with disabilities, supported by 32,500 leaders, carers and volunteers, have worked together to not only develop the confidence, self-esteem and mental health of individuals but to bring about a greater awareness and understanding of the needs of others.